Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, Calif.

Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, Calif.

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

The grande dame of all California lodgings. Built in 1888; fronted by a long, wide beach; topped by red Victorian turrets; celebrated by Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot," the Del abides. Its 679 guestrooms, 78 cottages and villas don't come cheap, and if you need more space, forget the main building and head for the newer Ocean Towers and California Cabanas. Rates start about $335 a night. Info: (800) 468-3533, http://www.hoteldel.com.

The grande dame of all California lodgings. Built in 1888; fronted by a long, wide beach; topped by red Victorian turrets; celebrated by Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot," the Del abides. Its 679 guestrooms, 78 cottages and villas don't come cheap, and if you need more space, forget the main building and head for the newer Ocean Towers and California Cabanas. Rates start about $335 a night. Info: (800) 468-3533, http://www.hoteldel.com. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The grande dame of all California lodgings. Built in 1888; fronted by a long, wide beach; topped by red Victorian turrets; celebrated by Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot," the Del abides. Its 679 guestrooms, 78 cottages and villas don't come cheap, and if you need more space, forget the main building and head for the newer Ocean Towers and California Cabanas. Rates start about $335 a night. Info: (800) 468-3533, http://www.hoteldel.com.